Violence, abuse and the implications for mental health and wellbeing of security operatives in the United Kingdom: the invisible problem

Abstract

This paper addresses mental health and wellbeing among security operatives in the UK using a mixed methods approach of survey questionnaire and interviews. The survey questionnaires were designed using three hybrid surveys: Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale; The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C); and CAGE-AID as a screen for substance misuse. The survey questionnaires were distributed with the support of the Security Industry Authority and the GMB Union and 754 completed surveys were returned and 15 interviews conducted. Results from the completed survey questionnaires show that 39.3% of the respondents were showing symptoms of PTSD and that many of the security operatives suffered varying degrees of verbal abuse and threats of physical violence with a number reporting acts of violence to themselves and other security operatives during the course of their employment. A key finding was the lack of provision of mental health and wellbeing services provided by the security companies to their employees and managers in general unable or unwilling to accept that some employees were suffering from poor mental health and wellbeing.

The influence of specific aspects of occupational stress on security guards’ health and work ability: detailed extension of a previous study

“…The conflicts/uncertainty aspect is pronounced among security guards, as their job is to deal with conflict situations (often including verbal and physical aggression), in which even their and other peoples’ lives may be at risk. Such stressful situations often have long-lasting consequences, and sometimes result in post-traumatic stress disorder, depending on the guard’s personality traits, training, and social support ( 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ). This type of stress is even more pronounced in guards who carry firearms ( 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 31 ).…”

“…Fortunately, most guards have never fired a single shot on duty ( 5 ). However, those who were involved in a shooting incident may suffer from severe traumatic consequences ( 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 31 ).…”

“…Perhaps the most difficult to explain is the initially found negative association between the threat avoidance aspect and health and work disability indicators. This aspect includes danger control and avoidance, execution of dangerous tasks, and experience of disturbing events, all of which is expected in security services ( 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ). Since high-risk jobs are associated with a strong acute activation of the HPA and SAM axes, they are expected to positively correlate with health risk indicators.…”

“…Security services involve a physical and emotional stress due to exposure to verbal and physical aggression and violence, and sometimes the use of physical force. Security guards are expected to behave responsibly, and carrying or using firearms greatly adds to the stress ( 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ). Frequent incidents can lead to the development of burn-out and post-traumatic stress disorders ( 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ).…”

“…Security guards are expected to behave responsibly, and carrying or using firearms greatly adds to the stress ( 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ). Frequent incidents can lead to the development of burn-out and post-traumatic stress disorders ( 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ). Some personality characteristics (e.g., impulsivity, aggressiveness), which are sometimes noted among security guards ( 18 , 19 ), can predispose for enhanced response to psychological stress, escalation of conflict, and counterproductive problem-solving strategies ( 20 , 21 ).…”